Work how you want to: How to challenge outdated workplace norms

Work changed in 2020. We saw the abrupt shift to remote work, the rise of Zoom, and the sudden, intimate knowledge of our coworkers’ homes. But in a lot of ways, we’re still working like it’s 2019. We’re clinging to old work norms that, even in the before times, were already outdated. 

A lot of these are soft rules: social conventions that we continue to follow just because we feel we ought to, as opposed to hard rules that are absolute musts, like don’t embezzle company funds or show up naked to a meeting. While I’m all for playing nice with company money and wearing clothes of some sort, I think it’s time we re-evaluate the softer rules.

The new work normal

I used to wear actual business clothes to an actual office. It was constricting, for sure, and even wearing a winter jacket wasn’t enough to combat the arctic blast of the office AC. I was perpetually cold and uncomfortable, so it was hard to focus. These days, the only suit I wear is a sweat suit, and my jacket is a fuzzy, oversized bathrobe. I’m warm and comfortable, so I can focus on work instead of my discomfort. 

But business casual isn’t the only soft rule it’s time to break. I asked a few of my Zapier coworkers, and here are some other new work norms that they’ve adopted to improve their productivity: 

Re-examine how you work

The status quo is easy, so it makes sense that we stick to what we’re used to. I suggest you take some time to examine your work habits and think about why you’re working that way. As you do, you might come up with new habits you want to try.

Ask yourself these questions:

1. Does it make you more productive? If it does, proceed to the next question.

2. Does it make you more comfortable? If it does, proceed to the next question.

3. Is it a soft rule? Talk to your manager about it. If they seem receptive, show up to your next meeting in a fluffy bathrobe and see what happens. Who knows? Maybe they’ll show up in an even fluffier bathrobe.

4. Is it a hard rule? This one’s a little trickier. I strongly suggest you don’t embezzle company money, but some hard rules are soft rules in disguise. These are the ones you want to tackle. (It wasn’t that long ago that showing up to your office from 9 to 5 was considered a hard rule.)

Here are a few tips for trying to turn those hard rules into soft rules—or things of the past:

• Start by talking to your manager. They may know of other folks who feel the same way, and they may be able to advocate alongside you to get things changed. There’s a lot more power in collective action than a solo request.

• Otherwise, it might be a question for HR. If your company has a suggestion box, drop them a note! 

• If you have any data to support your claim of how a change increases your productivity, make sure to include that in whatever requests you make. 

Sometimes, rules still exist just because no one’s questioned why. 

As you embrace your new freedoms, there’s no better way to send you off than with this song from the Rebirth Brass Band: Do Whatcha Wanna.